seeing through the eyes of scriptures
Aho bhagyam aho bhagyam ....
dear devotees
Please accept my humble obaisences
All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga and Gandharvika Giridhari
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
I enjoyed being at the temple yesterday, meeting Vaisesika Prabhu for the first time since
1994 when we distributed books in San Francisco Ratha yatra together.He sold a lot of set of CC and SB I believe 8 sets where sold at yesterdays Sunday feast lecture, I would not have missed that for the world.
So many sweet exchanges in such short time with so many devotees, that is the real meaning of ISKCON.
I enjoyed my talk with Param Dham Prabhu ,I always am happy when we talk about KC.
I was struggling with the sloka Aho bhagyam aho bhagyam
10.14.32
SYNONYMS
aho — what great; bhāgyam — fortune; aho — what great; bhāgyam — fortune; nanda — of Mahārāja Nanda; gopa — of the other cowherd men; vraja-okasām — of the inhabitants of Vrajabhūmi; yat — of whom; mitram — the friend; parama-ānandam — the supreme bliss; pūrṇam — complete; brahma — the Absolute Truth; sanātanam — eternal.
TRANSLATION
How greatly fortunate are Nanda Mahārāja, the cowherd men and all the other inhabitants of Vrajabhūmi! There is no limit to their good fortune, because the Absolute Truth, the source of transcendental bliss, the eternal Supreme Brahman, has become their friend.
PURPORT
This translation is quoted from Śrīla Prabhupāda's Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā, Chapter Six, Text 149.
My dear Gurudeva, Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja chanted this sloka when he gave me diksa and gave me the merciful order and request to chant not less than 64 rounds daily .He knew
I am very fond of Krsnas sakhas and especially the priya narma sakhas, so when he gave me the name Paramananda das ,he chose this sloka.
It may appear the word Mitram refers to Nanda and Yasoda and all other inhabitants of Vraja, but within Vatsalya preme and Gopi preme this mitram friendship is already included.
In his commentaries to this sloka Srila Visvanath Chakravati Thakura has given the real significance of mitram : " After praising the ragatmika vatsalya preama (deep spontaneous parental affection) of the Vrajavasis, Brahma glorified those with ragatmika sahkya prema(mitram) and all those relishing intimate relationship with the Lord.
Futher in his purport he says: Krsna is the friend (mitra) but no a temporary friend.Krsna is the eternal friend (sanatana) of Sridama and others (yat)From this eternal friendship it is also understood that Sridama and others are also eternal.
a bit futehr down in the purport he says: All the inhabitants of Vrindavana rules by Nanda Maharaja (Nanda gopa vrakaukasam) down to the birds and beasts where fortunate .What then to speak of Nanda Himself and His cowhered men? Who can describe the fortune of those who became the friend pf Paramanandam brahma sanatanam? It is indescribable.
comment: So this friendship with Krsna pervades Goloka Vrindavana, though everyone is serving Krsna in various rasas everyone has this friendship in common.
In Bhagavad Gita Krsna has stated He is the well wishing friend of all jivas:
bhoktaram yajna-tapasam sarva-loka-mahesvaram suhrdam sarva-bhutanam jnatva mam santim rcchati
SYNONYMS
bhoktaram--beneficiary; yajna--sacrifices; tapasam--of penances and austerities; sarva-loka--all planets and the demigods thereof; maha-isvaram--the Supreme Lord; su-hrdam--benefactor; sarva--all; bhutanam--of the living entities; jnatva--thus knowing; mam--Me (Lord Krsna); santim--relief from material pangs; rcchati--achieves.TRANSLATION
The sages, knowing Me as the ultimate purpose of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attain peace from the pangs of material miseries.Comment:
But if one is not cultivating friendship with Krsna one will never develop it , a devotee sees Krsna as His most intimate friend Krsna will reciprocate. Lord Caitanya the Supreme firned of all jivas in Kali yuga has advised we also chant minimum 100.00 names daily ,64 rounds of the Mahamantra.So we should take the Supreme advise from our Supreme Lord friend and wellwisher Lord Caitanya Himself:
In 1991 when some ISKCON Gurus start going to see my Gurudeva they asked him about Raga marg and Vraja Bhakti , however I noted that not one of them have understood the first step in adhikara for Vraja Bhakti is to chant Hare Krsna with attachement for Krsna in a paticular mood but never less than one lahk daily.(avoiding the 10 offences to Sri Nama Prabhu)..so I want to remind anyone that is serious about Vraja Bhakti to take this advise and instruction of Srila Rupa Goswami and Lord Caitanya to heart. To become real Vrijabasis we have to follow the teachings of Lord Caitanya strictly.And palce the instructiones of Srila Prabhupada on our heads.Yes many will struggle to chant even 16 rounds due to material distractions.But we should make ourself fortunate and take shelter of this yugal kisora Maha mantra as the Mahamantra are simply names of Radha Krsna.
mali hana kare sei bija aropaṇa sravana-kirtana-jale karaye secana
When one receives the seed of devotion, he should take care of it by becoming a gardener and sowing the seed in his heart. By watering the seed gradually by the process of sravana and kirtana (hearing and chanting), the seed will start to sprout.
upajiya bade lata ‘brahmanda’ bhedi’ yaya ‘viraja’, ‘brahma-loka’ bhedi’ ‘para-vyoma’ paya
The creeper of devotion is manifest and grows to pierce through the wall of the material universe. It crosses over the Viraja river and the plane of Brahman and then reaches to Vaikuntha.
tabe yaya tad-upari 'goloka vrndavana' 'krsna-carana'-kalpa-vrkse kare arohana
It continues to grow further up to Goloka Vrndavana, where it finally embraces the wish-fulfilling tree of Sri Krsna's lotus feet.
tahan vistarita hana phale prema-phala ihan mali sece nitya sravanadi jala
There in Goloka, the creeper expands and produces the fruit of love for Krsna. Although remaining in the material plane, the gardener continuously sprinkles the creeper with the water of hearing and chanting. (Cc. Madhya 19.152-155)
Commenting on the maha-mantra in his Maha-mantrartha Dipika, Sri Jiva Gosvami reveals the meaning of each of the sixteen Names in the maha-mantra in consecutive order as follows:
hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare
(1-Hare) sarva-ceta-harah krsnas tasya cittam haratyasau vaidagdhi-sara-vistarair ato radha hara mata
Krsna steals the minds of everyone, yet Radha steals even His mind by Her divine expertise. Thus She is known as Hara.
(2-Krsna) karsati sviyalavanya-murali-kala-nihsvanaih sri radham mohana-gunalankrtah krsna iryate
He forcibly attracts Sri Radha with the sweet sound of His flute, therefore that Lord of all enchanting qualities is known as Krsna.
(3-Hare) sruyate niyate rase harina harineksana ekakini rahah-kunje hareyam tena kathyate
It has been heard that during the rasa-lila, doe-eyed Radha was stolen away by Krsna to be alone with Him in a secret forest bower. She is therefore known as Hara.
(4-Krsna) anga-syamalima-stomaih syamalikrta-kancanah ramate radhaya sardham krsno nigadyate
When Krsna sports with Radha, Her golden hue takes on the dark complexion of Krsna's skin. He is thus known as Krsna.
(5-Krsna) krtvaranye sarah-srestham kantayanumatas-taya akrsya sarva-tirthani taj-jnanat krsna iryate
In order to please Sri Radha, Krsna manifested the most wonderful lake (Syama-kunda) in Vrndavana. He then called all the holy rivers to fill it. He is thus known as Krsna.
(6-Krsna) krsyate radhaya premna yamuna-tata-kananam lilaya lalitas-capi dhiraih krsna udahrtah
By Her unsurpassed love, Radha charms He who performs wonderful lilas on the banks of the Yamuna. Therefore, those who are sober know Him as Krsna.
(7-Hare) hrtavan gokule tisthann-aristam pusta-pungavam sri haris tam rasad uccai rayatiti hara mata
While in Gokula, Sri Hari (Krsna) killed the demon known as Aristasura. During that time, Radha cried out to Him with great feeling and by doing so, She stole His mind. She is thus known as Hara.
(8-Hare) hyasphutam rayati priti-bharena hari-cestam gayatiti mata dhirair hara rasa-vicaksanaih
Filled with ecstatic love, Radha sometimes sings the glories of Hari’s exploits quietly, and sometimes She sings them aloud. Those who are expert in the secrets of divine sentiments call Her Hara.
(9-Hare) rasavesa-parisrastam jahara muralim hareh hareti kirtita devi vipine keli-lampata
Due to the intense love of Sri Radha, Sri Hari becomes so captivated that His flute falls from His hand. With the desire to enjoy in the forest bowers with Krsna, Radha steals His flute. That goddess is thus famous as Hara.
(10-Rama) govardhana-dari-kunje parirambha-vicaksanah sri radham ramayamasa ramastena mato harih
Krsna, who is expert at embracing, sports with Radha in the forest groves or in the caves of Govardhana. Thus He is known as Rama.
(11-Hare) hanti duhkhani bhaktanam rati saukhyani canvaham hara devi nigadita maha-karunya-salini
That most merciful Radha destroys the miseries of Her devotees and gives them great happiness every day. Therefore that goddess is known as Hara.
(12-Rama) ramate bhajato cetah paramananda-varidhau atreti kathito ramah syamasundara-vigrahah
The minds of the devotees are continuously drowned in an ocean of supreme joy by seeing the beautiful dark form of Krsna. Therefore He is known by the Name Rama.
(13-Rama) ramayaty-acyutam premna nikunja-vana-mandire rama nigadita radha ramo yutas taya punah
Radharani is known as Rama because She enjoys loving pastimes with Acyuta (Krsna) in a secret forest pavilion. Since He is always by Her side, He is known as Rama.
(14-Rama) rodanair gokule davanalam asayati hyasau visosayati tenokto ramo bhakta-sukhavahah
When the residents of Gokula were crying due to fear of the forest fire, Krsna immediately swallowed it and gave His devotees great joy. In this way, He is known as Rama.
(15-Hare) nihantum asuran yato mathura-puram ity-asau tadagamad-rahah-kamo yasyah sa’sau hareti ca
Sri Krsna went to Mathurapuri in order to destroy the demons. However, due to being captivated by the love of Radha, He later returned. Therefore She is known as Hara.
(16-Hare) agatya duhkha-harta yo sarvesam vraja-vasinam sri radha-hari-carito harih sri nandanandanah
When the son of Maharaja Nanda returned to Vraja, He took away the suffering of all the Vrajavasis. By His wonderful exploits, He steals the heart of Sri Radha. Thus He is known as Hari.
How fortunate we are to have come to Krsna conciouness and by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada gotten an opportunity to engage in the nice proscesses of Bhakti :
Srimad Bhagavatam 7.5.23-24
SYNONYMS
sri-prahradah uvaca -- Prahlada Maharaja said; sravanam -- hearing; kirtanam -- chanting; visnoh -- of Lord Visnu (not anyone else); smaranam -- remembering; pada-sevanam -- serving the feet; arcanam -- offering worship (with sodasopacara, the sixteen kinds of paraphernalia); vandanam -- offering prayers; dasyam -- becoming the servant; sakhyam -- becoming the best friend; atma-nivedanam -- surrendering everything, whatever one has; iti -- thus; pumsa arpita -- offered by the devotee; visnau -- unto Lord Visnu (not to anyone else); bhaktih -- devotional service; cet -- if; nava-laksana -- possessing nine different processes; kriyeta -- one should perform; bhagavati -- unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; addha -- directly or completely; tat -- that; manye -- I consider; adhitam -- learning; uttamam -- topmost.
TRANSLATION
Prahlada Maharaja said: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Visnu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one's best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, mind and words) -- these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service. One who has dedicated his life to the service of Krsna through these nine methods should be understood to be the most learned person, for he has acquired complete knowledge.
My Gurudeva and Srila Prabhupada had no ulterior motives and was the true friend of all
devotees , if we add wellwishing friend that is also proper for ones Gurudeva, but
in Vraja this awe and reverenge is not there .
Srila Raghunath das Goswami has advised us:
Text 1 gurau gosthe gosthalayisu sujane bhusura-gane sva-mantre sri-namni vraja-nava-yuva-dvandva-sarane sada dambham hitva kuru ratim apurvam atitaram aye svantardhatas catubhir abhiyace dhrta-padah
O mind, I grasp your feet and beg you with sweet words: Please cast away all hypocrisy and develop intense, unprecedented love for my spiritual master, Vrajabhumi, the people of Vraja, the Vaisnavas, the brahmanas, the Gayatri mantra, the holy name, and the transcendental shelter that is the fresh young couple of Vraja, Radha and Krsna.
Text 2 na dharmam nadharmam sruti-gana-niruktam kila kuru vraje radha-krsna-pracura-paricaryam iha tanuh saci-sunum nandisvara-pati-sutatve guru-varam mukunda-presthatve smara padam ajasram nanu manah
O Mind, don’t concern yourself with the pious and impious deeds described in the Vedas. Rather, intently serve Sri Sri Radha-Krsna in Vraja. Always remember that Lord Caitanya is the son of Maharaja Nanda and that my guru is most dear to Lord Mukunda.
Text 3 yadiccher avasam vraja-bhuvi sa-ragam prati-janur yuva-dvandvam tac cet paricaritum arad abhilase svarupam sri-rupam sa-ganam iha tasyagrajam api sphutam premna nityam smara nama tada tvam srnu manah
. O Mind, just listen to me! If you desire to reside in Vraja birth after birth, and if you desire to directly serve the divine youthful couple there with great attraction, then with intense love always remember and bow down to Srila Svarupa Damodara Gosvami; to Srila Rupa Gosvami and his elder brother, Srila Sanatana Gosvami; and to all their associates and followers.
Text 4 asad-varta-vesya visrja mati-sarvasva-haranih katha mukti-vyaghrya na srnu kila sarvatma-gilanih api tyaktva laksmi-pati-ratim ito vyoma-nayanim vraje radha-krsnau sva-rati-mani-dau tvam bhaja manah
O mind, give up friendship with nondevotees, which is nothing but a prostitute who will steal the treasure of your heart–your desire to serve Radha-Krsna. Don’t listen to talks of impersonal liberation, which are a tigress who devours everyone. You should even give up attraction for Lord Narayana, which leads to the world of Vaikuntha. Instead, O mind, just worship Sri Sri Radha-Krsna in Vraja, for They bestow upon their worshipers the jewel of pure love for Themselves.
Text 5 asac-cesta-kasta-prada-vikata-pasalibhir iha prakamam kamadi-prakata-pathapati-vyatikaraih gale baddhva hanye ’ham iti bakabhid vartmapa-gane kuru tvam phutkaran avati sa yatha tvam mana itah
The highwaymen of lust and his friends have bound me around the neck with the painful, horrible, powerful ropes of many wicked deeds. O mind, please scream out to the devotees of Krsna, the killer of Baka, "I am being killed!" Then He will save me.
Text 6 are cetah prodyat-kapata-kuti-nati-bhara-khara- ksaran-mutre snatva dahasi katham atmanam api mam sada tvam gandharva-giridhari-pada-prema-vilasat- sudhambhodhau snatva svam api nitaram mam ca sukhaya
O Mind, why do you burn us both by bathing in the urine trickling from the ass of great deviousness and hypocrisy? Instead, you should delight us by eternally bathing in the glistening nectar-ocean of pure love for Sri Sri Gandharva-Giridhari (Sri Sri Radha-Krsna).
Text 7 pratisthasa dhrsta svapaca-ramani me hrdi natet katham sadhu-prema sprsati sucir etan nanu manah sada tvam sevasva prabhu-dayita-samantam atulam yatha tam niskasya tvaritam iha tam vesayati sah
as long as the impudent untouchable woman of the desire for fame dances in my heart, why should pure love for Radha-Krsna touch me? O mind, continuously serve my spiritual master, the leader of those who are dear to the Lord. Then my master will quickly kick out that harridan and allow that pure love to enter.
Text 8 yatha dustatvam me darayati sathasyapi krpaya yatha mahyam premamrtam api dadaty ujjvalam asau atha sri-gandharva-bhajana-vidhaye prerayati mam tatha gosthe kakva giridharam iha tvam bhaja manah
So That He will mercifully smash my wickedness (even though I am a great rascal), so that He will give me the splendid nectar of transcendental love, and so He will engage me in Sri Radha’s service, please, O mind, with words choked with emotion, worship Lord Giridhari here in Vraja.
Text 9 mad-isa-nathatve vraja-vipina-candram vraja-vane- svarim tan-nathatve tad-atula-sakhitve tu lalitam visakham siksali-vitarana-gurutve priya-saro- girindrau tat-preksa-lalita-rati-datve smara manah
O mind, please meditate on Krsna, the moon of Vraja forest, as the Lord of my controller, Srimati Radharani. And please meditate upon Srimati Radharani, the queen of Vraja forest, as Krsna’s controller. Also please meditate upon Lalita as the peerless friend of Radha and Krsna, Visakha as the guru who teaches Them many things, and Radha-kunda and Govardhana Hill as two places the mere sight of which bestows charming transcendental love for the divine couple.
Text 10 ratim gauri-lile api tapati saundarya-kiranaih saci-laksmi-satyah paribhavati saubhagya-balanaih vasi-karais candravali-mukha-navina-vraja-satih ksipaty arad ya tam hari-dayita-radham bhaja manah
O mind, please worship Lord Hari’s beloved Radha. with the splendor of Her beauty She makes Rati, Gauri, and Lila burn with envy, with the power of Her good fortune She defeats Saci, Laksmi, and Satyabhama, and with Her ability to control Krsna She completely eclipses Candravali and the other pious young girls of Vraja.
Text 11 samam sri-rupena smara-vivasa-radha-giribhrtor vraje saksat-seva-labhana-vidhaye tad-gana-yujoh tad-ijyakhya-dhyana-sravana-nati-païcamrtam idam dhayan nitya govardhanam anudinam tvam bhaja manah
O mind, in order to attain the direct service of the two divine lovers, Sri Sri Radha-Giridhari, in the company of Their friends, every day you must constantly drink, with Sri Rupa Gosvami, the five nectars of worshiping Them, chanting Their names, meditating on Them, hearing about Them, and bowing down before Them, and every day you must worship Govardhana Hill.
Text 12 manah-siksa-daikadasaka-varam etam madhuraya gira gayaty uccaih samadhi-gata-sarvartha-tati yah sa-yuthah sri-rupanuga iha bhavan gokula-vane jano radha-krsnatula-bhajana-ratnam sa labhate
These eleven excellent instructions to the mind grant all spiritual benedictions. A person who stays with the devotees, follows Srila Rupa Gosvami, and with a sweet voice loudly sings these eleven verses will attain the matchless jewel of direct service to Sri Sri Radha-Krsna in the forest of Gokula.
Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda Prabhu has come and make all of us most unfortunate souls most fortunate and Srila Prabhupada became Their embassador
fully absorbed in Vraja Prema like the sahkas of Krsna:
O dear friend, in Your company I will experience great joy once again. In the early morning I will wander about the cowherd pastures and fields. Running and frolicking in the many forests of Vraja, I will roll on the ground in spiritual ecstacy. O when will that day be mine?
(from his prayer to Krsnas lotusfeet on Jaladutta, he addresses Krsna as Bhai .brother ,dear friend ,that only the sakhas address Krsna with)
All glories to Srila Prabhupada who has given everyone an opportunity to become the friends of Krsna (such as described in the chapter of Krsna killing Aghasura of the Krsna book)
vaisnava das anu das
Pramananda das
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